The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-03-19
TIE UNlVERSALISM OF 0RIGEN.
BY REV. G.. f. BARNES.
(Tidioute, Pa


| In the issue of THE UNIvERsALIsT
for Feb. 10, l was much interested in
/ the admirable editorial, bearing the
same title as this article, and written
in defense of Origen's Universalism, as
against the intimation of Bishop Mer-
rill, in recent controversy, that "Orl-
gen only cherished dim hope of the
final salvation of all souls"
Now, conclusive, though the edito-
rial evinced itself in it's line of argu
ment, and while the expressions of
Origen may be familiar to the student,
if space be allowed me, would like to
give, for the benefit of the reader in
| general, few expressions of Origen
from his writings, both "On The Prin-
ciples," and against CELSIUS" sub
stantiative, not of his ''dim hope" but
rather his manifest, decided belief in
the ultimate redemption of all man.
kind and which must be as clear to
any one as language can make it.
On proceeding to the purpose in hand,
it may, indeed, be we'll to state at the
outset that, while the expressions of
| Origen, to be herein quoted, may be
necessarily few and brief, they do not
comprehend, by any means, the only
ones which imply bis clear belief in the
Larger Hope" Those which have
been selected have only been chosen
! because they are deemed best suited to
the object in view.
Accordingly, in his work, "On The
Principles" Book H., Chapter X, un-
der the Introductory words: Let us see
what is the meaning of the threatening
of eternal fire. and in reference to the
nature and object of punishment, as a
whole, THAT the understanding of this
matter may not appear very difficult, !"
| Origen writes: "And when this dissO-
"lution and rendering asunder of the
''soul shall have been tested by fire,
"a solidiication, undoubtedly, into a
''firmer structure, will take place, and a
restoration be effected" While again
in the same connection with the above,
though in another paragraph, we have
these words: ''By which it is certainly
understood that the fury of Gods
vengeance is profitable for the purga-
''tion of souls. That the punishment
''als0, which is said to be applied by
"ire, is understood to be applied with
1.-The object of healing, is taught BY
Isaiah who speaks thus to Israel:
1.-The Lord will wash away the filth
''of the sons and daughters of Il on, and
'shall purge away the blood from the
midst of them by the spirit Of judg
'ment, and the spirit of burning
lisa. iv. a. OF the Chaideans, he thus
'speaks Thou hast the Goals of fire
sit upon them; they will be to thee
''help. lisa Xvii II, 15). Andin ether
passages he says The Lord will sane
''tify in q burning fire > Us4 X ~,
"aBd III the prophecies Of Malachi he
says: The Lord sitting will blow, and
purify, and will pour forth the cleans
ed SONS Of Judah, " Mai. Iii. 81
Perhaps now, to lend further strength
and deiinitenes5 to these expressions, if
such can be done, quotation or two
from The same Book as the foregoing,
Chapter Y 80 Justice and Goodness,
may not prove amjss. Thus we read
therein: But why, in affecting those
who are deserving of punishment,
docs he not 8f1l ct them for their good?
"WhO also says to Chaldes, Thou hast
''coals of fire sit upon them; they
will be to thee help And OF those
"also who fell in the desert, let them hear
Those whom Origen is addressing)
"what is related in the seventy eighth
psalm, which bears the superscrip
''tion Of Asaph fOr he says, When ne
''slew them, then they sought him
FPS. xvii. 34l. He d les not say
that some sought him after others had
''been slain, but he says that the de-
''struction of those who were killed,
"Was of such nature that, when put
"to death, they sought God. BY all
(which it is established, that the God
"of the law aud the gospels is one and
1.-The same, just and good God, and
that he cOufeTs benefits justly, aud
Furnishes with kindness; since neither
goodness without justice, nor justice
without goodness, can display the (real)
dignity of the divine nature"
Bat sufficient citations being made
from this "work, - let US now turn to
Origen's celebrated writing Against
CELSIUS, from which two references
alone will be given; they being so con-
elusive are all that are necessary.
In Book iv. Chapter xiii, referring to
the manner of mockery in which Gel
sus spoke Of "God coming down like q
tOrturer, bearing fire. Ofigen writes as
follows 1.-The divine word says that
" our God is a consuming fire, and that
he draws rivers Of fire before him =
nay, he even entereth in as a rein-
"er's fire, and as a fuller's herb to pu-